Stephen Covey is so right when he says we have a tendency to concentrate on the urgent and not the important. We do those tasks that loom right in front of us. We deal with those people who are right in our face. Why? Maybe because we think its easier. If we “just took care of these items”, they would go away and we could concentrate on what really matters to us.
But what happens? More stuff gets on our plate!!! It is a constant issue of fighting “the list”. Especially at this time of the year – with holiday parties, gifts to buy, sales to close, taxes to think about – it is easy to go into overwhelm.
So, why can’t you get everything done? The answer is simple. You never will.
This has been an exceptionally hard lesson for me. I am very goal oriented and want to do many things. I start out each day thinking I can accomplish so much. By the end of the day, I never cross everything off. I could (and have) chosen to beat myself up and look at what did not get done. This isn’t helpful though. Instead, I keep forcing myself to look at what I did get done.
The list is just a list. It is a tool to help keep us focused. Especially, those of us (like me) who can’t remember a thought from an hour ago! Not everything will get crossed off as complete. Once you come to that realization, there is an inner peace. We are not meant to do everything! We are to do our best, and that means doing what is important for ourselves and those around us. The tasks we accomplish define us. Not the ones we don’t do. The tasks we do give us satisfaction. Don’t let the ones you don’t do affect you. Let them go…move on.
I am BIG on getting people to move forward. That means celebrating what we did and not dwelling on what we didn’t do. Use your tools just for what they are…tools to help you live and work more simply. Enjoy the results the tools help you achieve. If your results aren’t as strong as you’d like them to be, step back. Analyze yourself. Do you think you can do it all? No one on this earth can, so give yourself a break.
Simplicity leads to peace. My wish is that you find it! For tools and helpful articles, see my website at www.CenterForProductivity.com.
Many blessings, especially at this time of year. Debbie
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